Misk exhibition highlights evolution of art across Arabian Gulf
Riyadh hosts “Art Across the Arabian Gulf” showcasing five decades of regional creativity
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) – The Misk Art Institute has launched “Art Across the Arabian Gulf,” an exhibition exploring the Gulf’s cultural and economic history from the 1950s to the 1990s through more than 150 works, including paintings, sculptures, and conceptual installations.
Running until March 31, the show features 78 artists and is organized into five thematic sections: cultural heritage and development, maritime heritage, conflict and resilience, abstraction and textual expression, and materiality and experimentation.
Basmah Alshathry, Misk’s chief curator, highlighted the abstract section as a key contribution to documenting Gulf art, presenting works from across the region for further study.
The exhibition also reflects the influence of historical events, including decolonization, regional conflicts, and the Gulf War, on artistic expression. “We wanted to examine moments of vulnerability and resilience in the artists’ experiences,” Alshathry added.
Saudi sculptor Ali Altokhais is among the featured artists, focusing on human relationships and family bonds. “Stones are often overlooked, but when shaped and polished, they give a wide range of impressions,” he said, noting that viewers interpret the works differently based on their own experiences.
Omani artist Hussain Obaid showcased works inspired by childhood memories and wall art, blending historical context with contemporary expression. “I aim to create a dialogue between the viewer and the artwork,” he said, explaining that his 1990s pieces carry surrealist influences from the Venetian School.
Another Omani artist, Saif Alamri, focuses on printmaking, describing it as a medium full of creative possibilities. “An artist carries a noble message, often about humanity, displacement, loss, and the consequences of war,” Alamri said, emphasizing the thematic depth of his works.
Alshathry stressed that the exhibition recognizes both well-known and lesser-known artists who shaped the Gulf’s artistic heritage.
“Art Across the Arabian Gulf is an invitation for a larger audience to start documenting with us,” she said, highlighting the show’s role in preserving and celebrating the region’s visual legacy.
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